Starry, Starry Night of Success

Waterside Dated 1984

By Janet Penn

Fireworks brought a sparkle to the eyes of South East Essex audiences.

Thousands of sightseers watched displays in Canvey and Billericay - and many other places.

A school show was hit by the theft of half its rockets just 30 minutes before the launch.

But the head said the theft of the £30 fireworks did noot spoil the evening.

The show, organised by the Friends of St Katherine's Church of England School, went ahead before an audience of nearly 1,000.

The display at the school, in Hilton Road, Canvey, included a Wild West shootout, and headmistress Mrs Janice Davis said: "I don't think the rockets were missed by the audience, although they would have improved the overall show."